Portable (suitcase) solar "install" question

johnm1 wrote:
Would it be acceptable to use extension cords for the wire runs from panel to CC? I saw in other threads that suggest soldering the neutral and ground together to effectively increase the wire size. It might have been ktmrfs who posted it.

My thought was to use off the shelf 10 gauge extension cords (whatever length(s) make sense) and then make a short adapter cord with ground and neutral connected which would plug into both ends of the off the chelf extension cord. This would allow me to use the extension cords for other 120VAC needs. Since one of these adapters would be permanently attached to the panels and the other would be permanently attached to the CC, it should be safe for the normal schmuck like me.

Since I don't know how to draw or add a pix to this forum I'll use words to describe what I'm thinking ...

Solar panel with permanently attached adapter / off the shelf extension cord / adapter that's permanently attached to the charge controller / battery.

It makes sense in my mind anyway!

you could do this, but I'd make sure to have a tag at both ends when it is connected to the solar panels so you or someone doesn't accidentally plug it into 120V. A big label velcro'd to each end that says warning do not connect to 120V or something that catches attention.

Also, connect the male end to the panel, female to the charge controller. that way your less likely to plug it into 120V. And if the cable becomes disconnected you don't have an exposed 12V hot and ground that can short to anything.

Also, by paralleling ground and neutral you basically end up making one leg a wire size larger. 2 10ga in parallel = 8 ga. 2 12's = 10 ga.

so as long has you have the extra wire it's worth using it.